Legal Niches

Dundee Pol Sticks up for Game Biz

By pete_gallagher

Following the introduction of a motion before Parliament asking the Scottish government to address the negative effects of violent games on children, a Dundee MSP has gone on the attack on behalf of the game industry, calling the motion 'unnecessary hostile.'

Labour MSP Elaine Smith's motion requested that the government notify parents of the 'possible risk to children's emotional and psychological development as a result of prolonged use' of games, reports the Press and Journal.

Dundee West MSP Joe Fitzpatrick took umbrage with Smith's proposal, saying, 'I am very keen to promote Dundee's world-leading video game development sector and am concerned at this unwarranted attack on an important industry and the effect it might have on its development.'

He added, 'The UK Government is due to introduce legislation protecting children by making age ratings compulsory for all boxed games designed for those aged 12 or above, using the Pan-European Games Information (Pegi) classification system.'

Fitzpatrick has also previously championed tax breaks for the UK videogame industry.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on January 20, 2010 (boomark / email).